Member-only story
The Skeptic’s Guide to K-Beauty: Simple, Affordable, and Effective
Okay, confession time: despite being Korean by birth, I was clueless about K-beauty for most of my life. Growing up in the West, I bought into that whole “skincare is for girls” nonsense. Looking good meant staying in shape and not much else. But as the years crept up, and my skin didn’t magically stay perfect, I finally caved.
I reluctantly explored the world of Korean skincare.
Let’s be honest, the glossy K-beauty ads can make a guy hesitate. All those perfectly dewy-skinned dudes? Not exactly relatable for most of us. I might aspire to look like a slightly less-wrinkly lizard, but K-pop idol isn’t on the vision board.
But here’s the thing: while the marketing might not be my vibe, the products themselves are surprisingly legit. Turns out, you don’t need to embrace the full K-pop aesthetic to benefit from their skincare game.
No, moisturizer will not magically give you killer dance moves, and a sheet mask won’t suddenly make you want to bleach your hair.
And honestly, if my skin looks a bit smoother and clearer thanks to some snail goo or whatever, I can live with that.
Disclaimer: I’m not a dermatologist or skincare expert. This info is based on my own research and experience, so always consult a…